And more than 150 can be supplied with the three digit CVV security number – allowing the card to be used almost anywhere.

The data, along with other high- risk information is being sold by online criminals, according to fraud prevention firm C6 Intelligence.

Asked by The Hunts Post to search for details from the Huntingdonshire area, they said there were at least 3,230 pieces of high-risk information available to buy, including bank account details.

The search of the ‘dark web’ also found email addresses and passwords, the answers to security questions and dates of birth.

C6 Intelligence CEO Darren Innes said: “Every bit of information that we have on file is already up for sale on the ‘dark web’. It has already fallen into criminal hands.

“Criminals are very likely to buy this information, otherwise these sites would not exist and up to 60 per cent of it will be used for a fraudulent act.

“Often, they may target 17 or 18 year-olds and will apply for credit in their name. They will then just sit on it and wait for the credit to go up. Sometimes they will set it up for several years before they use it.”

He said personal information was often stolen from people who had entered details on fake websites or responded to emails. Other data has been stolen by hackers infiltrating company files.

The organisation found 36,784 files relating to people in the Huntingdonshire area being sold on the internet – more than 10,724 of those files were linked to the St Neots PE19 postcode and 21,824 files from Huntingdon postcodes.

Around 1,278 credit card numbers were found, the CVV number included for 157 cards.

Fraud consultant Jemma Read said the files were just the ones that could be directly linked to the Huntingdonshire area.

Cambridgeshire police said they are working alongside the national Action Fraud organisation to prevent criminals using such data, but said people should take steps to protect themselves, such as shredding documents before throwing them away.

A spokesman added that people should also use caution when replying to emails until they can verify the credentials of the company or person they are dealing with.

INFORMATION: To report fraud or for advice, visit www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 1232040. To find out more about C6 Intelligence visit www.c6-intelligence.com.